Jordanian police clashed again Tuesday with hundreds of Islamist students protesting a decision by officials of Jordan University to appoint half the members of the 80-strong student council, students told AFP.

As voting for the remaining half went ahead, police used teargas and water cannon against students of the university trying to leave the campus, and those from other faculties demonstrating their solidarity outside.

The students retaliated with stones in a confrontation with anti-riot squads which lasted some two hours.

Witnesses said police arrested four students and closed roads leading to the university in the northern suburbs of Amman. They also seized the film of press photographers and cameramen covering the incidents.

A student said the demonstration was aimed at preventing the polling, which followed a March amendment by the University of an internal charter that stipulated free elections.

The authorities decided to appoint half of the student council, including its president, triggering the protest resignation of the predominantly Islamist council elected late last year.

The University, which said the changes were to allow "students from different categories" to be represented, called new elections for April 18.

As protests, which began April 4 continued, the authorities postponed the vote for a week in the hope of calming the situation, students said -- AMMAN (AFP).